WEEKLY: China's thermal coal market edges up on fresh demand, cost support

China's thermal coal market trended mildly stronger over the week of March 16-20, as firm cost support and intermittent demand partially offset still-ample supply and weak underlying consumption.

At China's northern ports, prices followed a V-shaped trajectory. Early in the week, sluggish demand and limited inquiries weighed on sentiment, prompting buyers to pressure prices lower. However, sentiment improved later in the week, supported by rising mine prices and the weaker competitiveness of seaborne cargoes, which encouraged some